Junior's Reading And Viewing List: August 1 - 10, 2011

Last Update - August 30, 2011 at 5:10 AM EDT

This Junior's 'Reading And Viewing List' is for August 1 through August 10, 2011, and it has the usual linked titles, with snippets of articles. The following items were published via the internet at the start of August 2011.

Films in the making, music industry news, Formula One racing and WRC rally events are among the topics to be found here.


August 10, 2011

Girlschool Re-Record Classic Album
By mdome at Classic Rock

Girlschool are celebrating the 30th anniversary of the album Hit And Run by re-recording it...


Jon Lord Battles Cancer
By mdome at Classic Rock

Former Deep Purple keyboard player Jon Lord has revealed that he’s fighting cancer...


Tyre strategy - Pirelli on perfect planning
Posted at Formula1.com

Tyres - and the ability of a driver to use their tyres well - have always been critical to success or failure in Formula One racing. But it's been especially true this season...


August 9, 2011

Aerosmith Man Undergoes Cancer Surgery
By mdome at Classic Rock

Aerosmith bassist Tom Hamilton has just undergone what’s described as a ‘radical medical procedure’...


August 8, 2011

'Avengers' Director Joss Whedon: Why Heroes Keep Him
Up At Night
By Kara Warner at MTV's Splash Page

It's simply impossible for me to write about Joss Whedon without gushing. He's just so darn likable. And brilliant. And a fellow ginger, so our bond is unbreakable there. I promise to continue gushing about him even if "The Avengers" does not meet the exceedingly high expectations set out for it (which it WILL. I have faith!)...

The Home Of Metal Black Country Weekender Brochure
Posted at Home Of Metal

The Home of Metal Weekender is bursting with events across the Black Country from 1 – 4 September. Including a conference, films, concerts and activities ranging from a silent metal disco to studded wristband making, there’s something for everyone...


In Bed with Chris Needham + Heavy Metal Parking Lot
-September 3rd @ Light House
Posted at Home Of Metal

The Light House - Saturday September 3rd - 8.30pm

Tickets £5.80 / £4.40 concessions - For Bookings call 01902 716055
- http://light-house.co.uk/

Heavy Metal Parking Lot

This video documentary short documents Heavy Metal fans taligating in the car park outside the since demolished Capital Centre in Landover, Maryland, on May 31st 1986, before a Judas Priest Gig...

*Dan, Jr. / Junior's Eyes Note: I was at that Judas Priest concert, but I don't remember the film crew. Watch the documentary for FREE at SnagFilms.


Alonso not giving up on 2011 title hopes
Posted at Formula1.com

Ferrari's Fernando Alonso may be 89 points adrift of championship leader Sebastian Vettel, but he's adamant there is still plenty of time to turn things around. Speaking at the Italian team's summer press event at Madonna di Campaglio, Alonso insisted he wasn't ruling out title success this year...


Loeb: WRC future decision imminent
Posted at WRC.com

Sebastien Loeb has revealed that his continued participation in the World Rally Championship could be decided before the next round in Germany...


Tarmac rounds hold no fear for Ford
Posted at WRC.com

Ford team boss Malcolm Wilson is convinced that his factory squad can register a victory on asphalt this season...


August 7, 2011

Harford Co. Baseball Team Makes It To The Cal Ripken
World Series
Posted at WJZ TV News / CBS Baltimore

...WJZ Eyewitness News met with the 2011 Maryland state champion team — the Hickory Hornets...

*Dan, Jr. / Junior's Eyes Note: Somebody at WJZ got it wrong,
it's Harford County (MD), not Howard County.


August 6, 2011

QUEEN - Promo Clip Posted For Final Five Album Reissues
Posted at Brave Words & Bloody Knuckles

...These five albums cover the era when Queen were elevated to truly legendary status as they stole the show at Live Aid in front of a global TV audience of 1.9 billion people, and wowed audiences with subsequent headline shows at Knebworth and Wembley in 1986, the latter recently voted by the public as one of the most iconic events ever seen at the stadium. This was also Queen’s most consistent period of commercial success with each of the five albums going platinum in the UK and ‘A Kind Of Magic’ and ‘Made In Heaven’ each selling over 1 million copies, the latter doing so four years after Freddie’s death showing that the Queen legacy reigns eternal...


Review: 'Torchwood: Miracle Day' - 'The Categories of Life':
Heat is on
By Alan Sepinwall at What's Alan Watching? via HitFix.com

A quick review of tonight's "Torchwood: Miracle Day" - including thoughts on why I'm likely taking this season out of the review rotation going forward...

...I continue to think there are some good basic ideas here, I like what Bill Pullman and Lauren Ambrose are doing as guest stars, but overall, "Miracle Day" has been a pretty big misfire after "Children of Earth" got so much right...


August 5, 2011

Patrick Stewart Holds No 'X-Men: First Class' Grudges
By Travis Helwig at MTV's Splash Page

There’s no bad blood (just mutant blood) between Patrick Stewart and his young replacements in the summer blockbuster "X-Men: First Class." Stewart, who has played Professor Charles Francis Xavier (or just Professor X) in every other "X-Men" film, insists that while he hasn’t sat down to watch it, he’s certainly not holding any sort of grudge.

Queen To Release New DVD Featuring Two Full Wembley Stadium Concerts
Posted at RTT News

(RTTNews) - To celebrate the 25th anniversary of their two-night stand at Wembley Stadium in 1986, Queen is releasing a new DVD, Queen: Live at Wembley Stadium, that features both the July 11 and 12 concerts in their entirety, according to Bravewords.com...


August 4, 2011

Samuel L. Jackson Offers Avengers Update
Posted at Superhero Hype

Samuel L. Jackson is set to reprise his role as S.H.I.E.L.D. Agent Nick Fury in next summer's The Avengers and dropped a few hints to BBC Newsbeat about what fans can expect from his performance...


August 3, 2011

It's My Party
By Brian Lumley at Rumblings From The Man Cave

Well, the Tea Party has rapidly shown that they're nothing new and nothing to get excited about. As little more than a Caucasian-only portion of the Republican Party, although not quite as well-funded or as intelligent as the GOP, they're kind of passe...


Hot Air
By Brian Lumley at Rumblings From The Man Cave

...I'm befuddled, no, stupefied at how ridiculously ignorant our culture is becoming. Every morning I hop on line and attempt to read what's happening in our little patch of real estate and walk away from my laptop with my head shaking from left to right in a slow syncopation of utter disbelief...


Alice Cooper Gets Universal Maze
By mdome at Classic Rock

A special Alice Cooper Maze is being opened by Universal Studios in this for Halloween...


August 2, 2011

'Doctor Strange' Moves Forward, Seeks Directors
By Aubrey Sitterson at MTV's Splash Page

Given Marvel’s recent string of successes in bringing their comics properties to the silver screen, it should come as no surprise that the company is looking to branch out further. With “The Avengers” hitting theaters next summer and Edgar Wright having just turned in a new script for his “Ant-Man” movie, the company has now turned its Eye of Agamotto to none other than Doctor Strange...


To test or not to test - the in-season testing debate unravelled
Posted at Formula1.com

From team principals to drivers, from engineers to fans, Formula One racing is a sport of obsessives. And from the careful construction of a motorhome menu to polishing a car after it's left parc ferme, painstaking preparation is par for the course. It's surprising then to find that in this bastion of minutiae most car upgrades only make it out on track for the first time during Grand Prix weekends...


Novikov vows to come back stronger
Posted at WRC.com

...Russian Novikov, who was returning to the event for the first time since his spectacular landing from a jump on the Leustu stage in 2009, dropped out on both Friday and Saturday due to technical problems. However, he still said he was able to gain vital stage knowledge at the wheel of the M-Sport Stobart Ford Fiesta RS WRC...


August 1, 2011

Press tour: NBC remakes 'Prime Suspect'
By Alan Sepinwall at What's Alan Watching? via HitFix.com

NBC's "Prime Suspect" likely faced a tougher room from the TCA than they will from audiences this fall, when it airs Thursdays at 10. After all, if you were to do a demographic breakdown of the audience for the original British "Prime Suspect" when it aired on PBS in the '90s, a large chunk of it would be made up of TV critics. The vast majority of viewers sampling the new version, with Maria Bello as an abrasive New York cop battling sexism and her own personal demons, probably have no idea there was an earlier version starring the great Helen Mirren...

*Dan, Jr. / Junior's Eyes Note: Once again, American TV
will do it's best to Fuck Up perfection.


LA Without A Map Competition & Trailer
Posted at David Tennant - Fan News Blog

Thanks to our friends at Yume Pictures we have a great competition to celebrate the release of LA Without A Map on DVD in the UK! (8th August 2011)...


David Introduces Fright Night At Comic Con
Posted at David Tennant - Fan News Blog

Spoiler Pics & Videos From The Dark Knight Rises Set
Posted at Superhero Hype

A crazy amount of pictures and videos hit the web from the Pittsburgh set for The Dark Knight Rises on Sunday. You can view some below featuring Bane, Batman and Miranda Tate (Marion Cottilard) in action and more pics are available at gettyimages...


Slash To Release Live DVD
By mdome at Classic Rock

Slash played at the Victoria Hall in the city where he grew up on Sunday, July 24, playing a set of solo tracks, plus...


Entitlements
By Brian Lumley at Rumblings From The Man Cave

So after giving this entry some thought and attempt to dazzle everyone with my rapier wit and biting electronic pen I've realized that this particular subject doesn't need to be hyperbolized. I want to lay this out fairly flat so even the jaded Fox News viewers can see my point...


Ostberg: the Big Five are in sight
Posted at WRC.com

Mads Ostberg reckons his performance on Neste Oil Rally Finland last week has proved that he is getting closer to taking on the world championship's Big Five on a regular basis...

Today's Tune: Rod Stewart Sings "Sailing"

Endeavour replica sailing into Cooktown's harbor near the mouth of the Endeavour River. Photo by John Hill.

On August 26, 1768, Captain James Cook left a port in England on board the HMS Endeavour. The explorer and his crew sailed west, around Cape Horn (South America), on to New Zealand and Australia.

Our 'Today's Tune', Gavin Sutherland's "Sailing" (1972), gives the listener a good idea of how James Cook and his crew members must have been feeling by the time they headed toward home, after such an incredibly long time away.

The song title connects with our story for an obvious reason, but the performer does as well. Cook was the son of a Scottish farm laborer, and the featured singer covering the song is Scotland's most popular singer of all time, Rod Stewart.

Rod Stewart - "Sailing" 1975 Original Recording



Rod Stewart - "Sailing" 1975 Audio with Slide Show



Rod Stewart - "Sailing" Live 2004
'One Night Only! Rod Stewart Live At Royal Albert Hall'

Today's Tune: "Rescue Me" By Y & T

Happy Birthday to Denis Leary! American comedian, television and film actor, writer and director, Leary turned 54 years old today. The Massachusetts native, and son of Irish immigrants is well known for his fiery, angry style of comedic delivery. His stand-up act consists largely of anti-conformist rants.

Many have complained that Denis Leary copied his stage persona and some of his material directly from his former close friend, the now deceased (pancreatic cancer) American comedian, Bill Hicks (December 16, 1961 – February 26, 1994). I can't say for sure that none of the accusations are true, but don't comics steal / borrow from and emulate other performers all the time? Of course, they usually take from retired and already dead comedy legends. Leary and Hicks did spend a lot of time around each other though, climbing up the ranks together.

Moving along here, this 'Today's Tune' relates to the television drama, Rescue Me (2004 - 2011). The show was created by Denis Leary and Peter Tolan. Leary also stars in the series, which is about the personal lives of a fictional group of New York firefighters.

The selected track comes from the US rock band Y & T. The original recording first showed up on their third studio album, 'Earthshaker' (Recorded 1980 / Released 1981). The song has the same title as Leary's show. Please enjoy "Rescue Me".

Y & T - "Rescue Me" Recorded 1980 / Released 1981



Y & T - "Rescue Me" on April 1, 2011 at Brixton South Bay,
in Redondo Beach, CA

Junior's Reading And Viewing List: July 22 - 31, 2011

Last Update - August 15, 2011 at 5:13 AM EDT

Title links with article sample snippets, for items published around the web at the end of July 2011, are compiled below. Welcome to Junior's 'Reading And Viewing List' for July 22 through July 31, 2011.

Current as well as upcoming films, television programs, Washington Capitals hockey, music, Formula One racing and WRC rally news are are covered here.


July 31, 2011

Watch: 'Doctor Who' star Matt Smith at Comic-Con
By Alan Sepinwall at What's Alan Watching? via HitFix.com

Time for the third and final "Doctor Who" video interview I conducted at Comic-Con, this time with the Doctor himself, Matt Smith...


Watch: 'Doctor Who' co-star Karen Gillan at Comic-Con
By Alan Sepinwall at What's Alan Watching? via HitFix.com

Time for the second of the three "Doctor Who" video interviews I conducted at Comic-Con, this time with co-star Karen Gillan...


Watch: 'Doctor Who' writer Toby Whithouse at Comic-Con
By Alan Sepinwall at What's Alan Watching? via HitFix.com

...Steven Moffat couldn't make it to Comic-Con (though he did come to press tour, and that much longer interview will be published closer to the show's August 27 return), so Whithouse came as a representative of the show's writers. As the creator of the British "Being Human," he's a Comic-Con veteran by now, but still seemed terribly excited to be here with this show, as he (like most of the writers) grew up as a fan...


July 30, 2011

Freddie Mercury - Queen Members To Dress As Freddie Mercury
ContactMusic.com article linked at Queenpedia.com (Facebook)

...They will be joined by fans of the singer worldwide who will dress up as their hero - who died of complications related to AIDS in 1991 - competing to be the most outrageous, with prizes awarded for the "most creative Freddie outfits in the most unusual venues".

Funds raised by fans' efforts will go to support Trustees of the Mercury Phoenix Trust, which fights against AIDS across the world...


July 29, 2011

Review: 'Torchwood: Miracle Day' - 'Escape to LA':
Baby, we're the same
By Alan Sepinwall at What's Alan Watching? via HitFix.com

...First, it's allegedly one continuous story, but Russell T. Davies doesn't have quite enough material to fill out the long running time, so we get these weird self-contained missions and one-shot villains, like Dichen Lachmann on the plane in episode 2 and C. Thomas Howell disrupting the computer caper here...


Press tour: Kelsey Grammer gets serious with Starz's 'Boss'
By Alan Sepinwall at What's Alan Watching? via HitFix.com

..."I didn't start out as a comic actor," the "Cheers" and "Frasier" star explained at a press conference for his new Starz drama "Boss" (premiere date TBD), in which he plays the scheming mayor of Chicago. "I started out as a classical theater actor playing tragedies. This particular role probably couldn't have taken place right after 'Frasier' - probably would have been too big a jolt."...


'Avengers' Teaser: Behold Earth's Mightiest Heroes!
Posted by Josh Wigler at MTV's Splash Page

So, the "Avengers" teaser is officially online, though it's only a tease of a teaser, and you've got to spoil the ending of "Captain America" for yourself in order to see it (assuming you haven't seen "The First Avenger" yet, that is). You could always skip to the teaser's 34 second mark to get straight to the footage from Joss Whedon's superhero flick, but even then, you'll have to pause a lot to get a good look at Earth's Mightiest Heroes...


Friday practice - selected team and driver quotes
Posted at Formula1.com

Lewis Hamilton made the most of his quick-running McLaren to set the practice pace in Budapest on Friday, leading both sessions on the timesheets. All 24 drivers and senior team personnel report on the opening day of action at the Hungaroring...


Five Reasons To See 'Cowboys & Aliens'
Posted by Josh Wigler at MTV's Splash Page

"Cowboys & Aliens" gallops into theaters this weekend chased by an armada of gold seeking monsters from space. On the surface, all the ingredients are in place for an all-out wall-to-wall actioner for the books: the director of "Iron Man", the stars of "James Bond" and "Indiana Jones", and a seemingly impossible mash-up of genres. Nothing could possibly go wrong there, right?

Make no mistake, there's a lot to juggle in "Cowboys", and Jon Favreau's task is not an enviable one — so how did he hold up under the pressure? Your mileage may vary, but for this movies writer, I walked away quite pleased with the wild, wild west's suddenly slick space-born sheen...

*Dan, Jr. / Junior's Eyes Note: Contains 6 videos (5 interviews,
1 trailer).


July 28, 2011

Chris Hemsworth Is 'Disappointed' That Kenneth Branagh
Isn't Directing 'Thor 2'
By Terri Schwartz at MTV's Splash Page

"I'm really disappointed."

Chris Hemsworth summarizes the sadness we all feel about Kenneth Branagh's decision not to return for "Thor 2" in his recent interview with The Los Angeles Times. The newspaper caught up with the "Thor" at Comic-Con, and Hemsworth seemed legitimately upset about the fact he'd be taking the trip back to Asgard without his familiar director...


Press tour: 'Doctor Who' panel live-blog
By Alan Sepinwall at What's Alan Watching? via HitFix.com

I live-blogged the "Doctor Who" panel at Comic-Con, so why not go for a two-fer with today's press tour session? I suspect the critics will ask different questions from the fans - though most of us are arguably both - and if nothing else, we'll have showrunner Steven Moffat on the stage (along with Matt Smith, Karen Gillan and producers Piers Wenger and Beth Willis), who may be able to say more than staff writer Toby Whithouse could in San Diego...


FIA Thursday press conference - Hungary
Posted at Formula1.com

Drivers - Jaime Alguersuari (Toro Rosso), Jenson Button (McLaren), Heikki Kovalainen (Team Lotus), Felipe Massa (Ferrari), Mark Webber (Red Bull)...


Hungary preview - rivals predict Red Bull renaissance
Posted at Formula1.com

Ironically, after Red Bull team boss Christian Horner described the German Grand Prix as a 'wake-up call', neither McLaren nor Ferrari, winners of the last two races, are expecting to beat them in Hungary this weekend. Well, not unless the weather intervenes...


July 27, 2011

New Dio Career Compilation
By Joe Siegler at Black Sabbath Online

...Universal is set to hopefully draw some attention to the wide ranging career of Ronnie James Dio with a new compilation due on August 8th, called "Mightier Than the Sword: The Ronnie James Dio Story". This two disc career spanning retrospective culls tracks from as far back as one of the Elf albums from 1974, going through Rainbow in the latter 70?s, and then the back and forth dance between "Dio" and Black Sabbath in the 80?s, 90?s, & 00?s...


Finland preview notes: Part two
Posted at WRC.com

This is a summary of how the main contenders have prepared and what some of the leading drivers have had to say in the build-up...


July 26, 2011

Home hero Hirvonen out to reignite title bid
Posted at WRC.com

Mikko Hirvonen starts Neste Oil Rally Finland on Thursday knowing that victory will be vital in his bid to win the World Rally Championship for the first time...


Finland preview notes: Part one
Posted at WRC.com

The 2011 World Rally Championship is back from its summer break with the super-fast Neste Oil Rally Finland...


July 25, 2011

'Captain America' 101: The Comics Behind The Movie
By Matt Adler at MTV's Splash Page

"Captain America: The First Avenger" made its star-spangled debut in theaters this past weekend, completing the introduction of the characters who will form the core of next year’s "Avengers". Like Iron Man, Hulk, and Thor before him, Captain America hails from a long comic tradition, but in his case, that history stretches back a full seven decades to the early years of the Second World War, giving those working on the film an even deeper well of stories to draw upon...


High Voltage: Day Two
By mdome at Classic Rock

...If only the same were true of Michael Schenker on the Main Stage. He starts well enough, with Into The Arena and Armed & Ready, and one hopes these would be harbinger of a set predicated on classic MSG. Instead, we get two songs from an album not even released as yet, plus Scorpions and UFO tracks. Now, one from each of those bands would have been expected and more than acceptable. But big brother Rudy is on stage, so we get Another Piece Of Meat (fair enough) and Rock You Like A Hurricane, despite Michael having nothing to do with the latter. OK, his drummer today is Herman Rarebell, who is on the Scorpions original. But this is billed as Michael Schenker, not Schenker/Rarebell. We also get Pete Way dancing on for the UFO interlude, and Doogie White stepping out to sing one of the new tunes. All a bit messy, and Michael Schenker’s guitar is often lost in the mix...


High Voltage: Day One
By Richard Thompson - Posted by gbarton at Classic Rock

...Kicking off the party at the other end of the arena, Michael Monroe thinks nothing of climbing the Main Stage rig during a chaotic and lively Nothing’s Alright, before swinging from it halfway up. What’s concerning to some is not his safety but the sound issues which unfortunately dog the Main Stage throughout the day until headliners Judas Priest rev up the amps...


Latvala to celebrate 100 WRC starts in Finland
Posted at WRC.com

...The 26-year-old, who won the high-speed gravel spectacular for the first time last season, becomes the youngest driver in the history of the WRC to reach the milestone...


Hungary preview quotes - Ferrari, Lotus, McLaren,
Renault & more
Posted at Formula1.com

Hot on the heels of the Nurburgring, the teams head straight to Budapest for this weekend's Hungarian event, the last race before the Formula One community takes a well-earned summer break. Drivers and senior team personnel discuss their prospects for the Hungaroring...


July 24, 2011

Comic-Con 2011: 'Doctor Who' panel live-blog
By Alan Sepinwall at What's Alan Watching? via HitFix.com

Seated in a packed Hall H on the last day of Comic-Con for the "Doctor Who" panel, which will feature Matt Smith, Karen Gillan and writer Toby Whithouse...


July 23, 2011

EXCLUSIVE: Robert Rodriguez-Led Tour
Of Frank Frazetta's Artwork
By Eric Ditzian at MTV's Splash Page

...Just hours after the panel, Rodriguez invited us into the Hard Rock to give us an exclusive look at some of Frazetta's work and the Frazetta-inspired films he wants to make in the future. He showed us a painting titled "Conan the Barbarian", a 1966 work that established the iconic look of the sword-swinging hero. He dove into a depiction of "Death Dealer", a character around which he wants to make a future movie. And he revealed that "Silver Warriors" inspired the poster he put together for "Predators"...


July 22, 2011

'Spider-Man' Villain Rhys Ifans Sees 'Moral' Bond
Between Lizard And Spidey
By Terri Schwartz at MTV's Splash Page

Some of the most exciting news to come out of the Entertainment Weekly cover story on "The Amazing Spider-Man" was word that Rhys Ifans will be definitely be playing Dr. Curt Connors (otherwise known as the villain Lizard). So now that his identity is out there in the world, Ifans is ready to talk about it...

Judas Priest Homecoming Show
Posted at Home Of Metal

On Thursday 21st July the Home of Metal Team went to see Judas Priest at Wolverhampton Civic as they returned to the Midlands for their HOMECOMING gig as part of their worldwide Epitaph tour...


'Captain America': Five 'First Avenger' Easter Eggs
By Josh Wigler at MTV's Splash Page

"Captain America: The First Avenger" puts the final piece of "The Avengers" puzzle in place for Marvel Studios, and just like its superhero peers, the star-spangled super soldier's big-screen debut contains plenty of secrets and comic book callouts that fans will love...

Wrc.com preview: Neste Oil Rally Finland
Posted at WRC.com

...The World Rally Championship is back from its summer break with the ultimate speed chase, Neste Oil Rally Finland, based in the university city of Jyvaskyla in the centre of the country from 28-30 July...


Friday practice - selected team and driver quotes
Posted at Formula1.com

Mercifully for the neutral fan, Ferrari seemed to have lost none of their Silverstone pace on Friday, as they battled it out with Red Bull for top honours in the two opening practice sessions in Germany. The track was cool and the skies were largely grey, but there was still plenty of action to talk about. The drivers and senior team personnel report on day one at the Nurburgring...


Five Reasons You Need To See 'Captain America:
The First Avenger'
By Josh Wigler at MTV's Splash Page

"Captain America: The First Avenger" is the last of the big four Avengers to throw himself at the big-screen before next summer's major Marvel Studios event, and he doesn't disappoint. If you were worried about how the star-spangled superhero would translate from paneled page to live-action (especially after that '90s-movie-that-must-not-be-referenced-again), worry no more: the movie is great and absolutely worth the wait...


'The Amazing Spider-Man' Trailer: Commentary Track
By Josh Wigler at MTV's Splash Page

The "Amazing Spider-Man" trailer has a lot going on in its two and a half minute run time. So much, in fact, that we here at Splash Page HQ couldn't just keep all of our thoughts to ourselves...

Uriah Heep To Release New Live Album
By mdome at Classic Rock

...It’s called Live In Armenia, and is released by Frontiers Records on September 23. This was recorded during the band’s 40th anniversary tour, when they played in Armenia for the first time. uriah-heep.com...

Junior's Reading And Viewing List: July 11 - 21, 2011

Last Update - August 11, 2011 at 3:26 AM EDT

Junior's July 11 through July 21, 2011 'Reading And Viewing List' presents title links, with article snippets, from items published during the middle of July 2011.

Film adaptions of super hero comics, Washington Capitals hockey, music, Formula One racing and WRC rally news are among the things covered here.


July 21, 2011

FIA Thursday press conference - Germany
Posted at Formula1.com

Drivers: Timo Glock (Virgin), Nick Heidfeld (Renault), Nico Rosberg (Mercedes), Michael Schumacher (Mercedes), Adrian Sutil (Force India) and Sebastian Vettel (Red Bull)...


The Poti Predicament
By Fehr and Balanced at Japers' Rink

It's no secret that George McPhee has had an incredibly successful off-season to date. Thus far he's assembled (on paper, at least) the best roster Bruce Boudreau has ever had to work with, and one of the best Capitals rosters ever, regardless of era. The most talented forward corps the franchise has ever had, hopefully bolstered by newfound checking depth that Caps fans have been used to relying on. Defense to rival the ‘80s. Goaltending to rival the ‘90s. What's not to like?...


Hirvonen tries rallycross for size
Posted at WRC.com

Mikko Hirvonen has followed in the footsteps of his former factory Ford team-mate Marcus Gronholm by taking part in a fully-fledged rallycross event...


Meeke and Sordo set for more MINI magic
Posted at WRC.com

MINI WRC Team stars Kris Meeke and Dani Sordo say they are ready and waiting to return to world championship duty on Neste Oil Rally Finland next week...


Germany preview - home heroes out to halt Ferrari
Posted at Formula1.com

A whole slew of intermixing factors will ensure that this weekend's German round, the Formula 1 Grosser Preis Santander von Deutschland 2011, will be a gripping affair as the race returns to the Nurburgring...


July 20, 2011

Keeping Development in Perspective
By Becca H at Japers' Rink

...The 2011 Development Camp has come and gone, the prospects returned to their various hometowns, but the impressions remain relatively fresh - of a late-round draftee from last month's draft, or a veteran of three camps who knows he still has some work to do, or a Russian defenseman looking to get his first season of North American hockey underway...


'Amazing Spider-Man' Trailer Swings Into Action
By Josh Wigler at MTV's Splash Page

Spider-Man bootleg no more! It's the real deal — the actual "Amazing Spider-Man" trailer has been caught in the web!...

McLaren confident of reclaiming advantage from Ferrari
Posted at Formula1.com

While six wins from nine races for Red Bull may look dull on paper, the reality of the 2011 season to date has been far more exciting. Not least because we've had the entertaining spectacle of seeing two of the sport's stalwarts - McLaren and Ferrari - battling it out for the honour of leading the vanguard against the 'upstarts' from Milton Keynes...


Gronholm reveals key to Finland success
Posted at WRC.com

Seven-time Neste Oil Rally Finland winner Marcus Gronholm reckons courage and brains are key to success on the world championship qualifier, which takes place in Jyvaskyla in the centre of the country from 28-30 July...


Rees: Petter will fight on in WRC
Posted at WRC.com

Petter Solberg World Rally Team head Ken Rees has vowed to remain positive despite his driver's unequal struggle for WRC glory...


July 19, 2011

Queen's Roger Taylor re-releases anti-Murdoch song - video
Posted at NME.com

...The song, entitled 'Dear Mr Murdoch', was first written in 1994 and was included on the musician's album, 'Happiness'. It is being re-released with the lyrics slightly tweaked...

Patti Smith To Release New Compilation
By mdome at Classic Rock

...Titled Outside Society, it will span her career from 1975’s Horses to 2007’s Twelve. The full track listing is:...


Ford reveals food-themed designs for Finland
Posted at WRC.com

The individual food-themed roof designs that will feature on the trio of Ford Abu Dhabi World Rally Team Fiesta RS WRCs on Neste Oil Rally Finland later this month have been revealed...


Stage Collapses During Cheap Trick Set
By mdome at Classic Rock

...Just 20 minutes into their set on the main stage at the Ottawa Bluesfest, the area was hit by a huge thunderstorm, causing the stage to collapse...


July 18, 2011

'Dark Knight Rises' Trailer: Batman Must Return
By Josh Wigler at MTV's Splash Page

Batman rises one last time next July, but you won't have to wait a full year before catching a glimpse at the final round of "Dark Knight" mania...

Matt Hendricks talks about Washington Capitals’
offseason changes
By Katie Carrera at The Washington Post's Capitals Insider

With the flurry of changes to the Capitals’ lineup this offseason, Matt Hendricks is one forward who already knows he’ll have to adjust to new linemates when the 2011-12 regular season kicks off...


Jim Simpson's Photographs at Sandwell Museums
Posted at Home Of Metal

Sandwell Museums are hosting an exhibition of long buried photographs of music promotor and former Black Sabbath manager, Jim Simpson. From the late 1950s Jim worked as a musician and a photographer before moving into managmenent and music promotion...


Foo Fighters Stream iTunes Gig
By mdome at Classic Rock

...The gig happened on Tuesday, July 12 at The Roundhouse in London, when the band were joined onstage by Lemmy for the Probot song Shake Your Blood. Brian May and Roger Taylor got up for the Queen classic Tie Your Mother Down, with Taylor Hawkins on vocals.

Get the stream here.

July 17, 2011

40 Years Stoner Rock
Posted at Home Of Metal

Summer 1971 saw the release of Black Sabbath’s third album Master of Reality. A 10ft x 10ft reproduction of the album artwork features in the 40 Years of Heavy Metal and its Unique Birth Place exhibition now on at Birmingham Museum and Art Gallery. Tony likes it and we hope you will do too...


July 16, 2011

7-16-11 George McPhee
Video posted at Caps365 media player via WashingtonCaps.com

Capitals GM George Mcphee addresses the media on the final day of development camp.

July 15, 2011

TNT cancels 'Men of a Certain Age'
By Alan Sepinwall at What's Alan Watching?

TNT has canceled "Men of a Certain Age", the low-rated critical darling starring Ray Romano, Andre Braugher and Scott Bakula as the three titular men...


Sky Arts Documentary on Home of Metal
Posted at Home Of Metal

We are delighted that not only will there be a 10 minute documentary screened on Sky Arts throughout the summer, (tonight will be the first airing at 7.50pm!!) but there will also be an extended version of a 30 mins documentary being broadcast on Sky One on the 31st August!

You can watch the trailer here...

Classic Rock’s New Releases Round-Up
By mdome at Classic Rock

This week, we’ve prog legends with a new singer, the teaming of Lemmy and Slim Jim Phantom, a mega expanded anniversary reissue of a thrash classic and a bunch of muthatrucking New Yorkers live on DVD...


Germany preview quotes - Lotus, Pirelli, HRT & more
Posted at Formula1.com

Hot on the heels of one legendary track - Silverstone - comes another, and this time it is the turn of the tight and challenging Nurburgring circuit to welcome the Formula One paddock. As the 'home' race for world champion Sebastian Vettel, Michael Schumacher, Nico Rosberg, Nick Heidfeld, Timo Glock and Adrian Sutil, the event has special significance for many on the grid. Here the drivers and senior team personnel explain why they can't wait to head for the mountains...


Formula One teams gear up for Russian invasion
Posted at Formula1.com

It may be three years before the country expects to stage its first Grand Prix, but this Sunday Russian fans will have the chance to enjoy the spectacle of Formula One at two separate demonstration events - one in the capital, Moscow, the other in the Black Sea resort of Sochi, which is set to host the F1 calendar's inaugural Russian round in 2014...


July 14, 2011

'MTV First: Captain America' Starts Right Now!
By MTV News Team at MTV's Splash Team

...Welcome to MTV First: Captain America, a 30-minute conversation between our very own Josh Horowitz and Mr. Steve Rogers himself, actor Chris Evans, featuring everything you could possibly want to know about "The First Avenger" and his first Marvel Studios adventure. In addition to the interview, we're also debuting an exclusive clip from next week's big superhero release, so make sure to tune in and enjoy the show!...


Second Clip and Featurette for 'Cowboys And Aliens'
Posted at Super Hero Hype

A second clip and featurette for Jon Favreau's Cowboys & Aliens are now up and can be watched using the player below!...

Hirvonen: Finland will be close
Posted at WRC.com

Home hero Mikko Hirvonen reckons this year's Neste Oil Rally Finland will be one of the closest yet - and expects several privateers from Finland to spring a surprise on the world championship qualifier...


Lemmy Readies New Solo Album
By mdome at Classic Rock

...Among the guests on the album are Dave Grohl, Joan Jett, Reverend Horton Heat and The Damned...


Idiocracy
By Brian Lumley at Rumblings From The Man Cave

...We're on a downward spiral, culturally-speaking, and I see it only getting worse. Lately, intelligence has become a thing of ridicule; a moniker like a big fat scarlet letter emblazoned upon your post-high school, matriculated forehead. For some reason an education makes you an "elitist," and over the past twenty years we've embraced the worst pop culture as our unique American offering to the rest of the world. TV has taught other countries that America's GDP is stupidity and somehow it's wholly chic to be unintelligent...


July 13, 2011

First 'Cowboys & Aliens' Clip: Daniel Craig Owes Harrison Ford
By Kara Warner at MTV's Splash Page

...There's a new "Cowboys & Aliens" clip out today, entitled "You Owe Me", that features a nice little scene between our heroes Dolarhyde (Harrison Ford) and Lonergan (Craig)...

Washington Capitals sign Mathieu Perreault
By Katie Carrera at The Washington Post's Capitals Insider

The Capitals announced Wednesday that they’ve signed center Mathieu Perreault to a one-year, two-way deal...


Black Sabbath's Tony Iommi on the Birthplace
of Heavy Metal - Video
Posted at Home Of Metal

Guitar legend Tony Iommi talks to Stuart Jeffries at the Home of Metal exhibitions in Wolverhampton and Birmingham, celebrating the origins of heavy metal and grindcore in Birmingham and the Black Country, the crucible of the industrial revolution.

The Guardian: Home of Metal - A history of the heavy
in seven objects
Posted at Home Of Metal

To salute home of metal's new series of exhibitions across the west midlands, justin quirk offers a history of the music in 7 objects.

To see the full article and all seven wonderful items:
--> Click here <--

Solberg takes to the skies
Posted at WRC.com

World Rally Championship star Petter Solberg took to the skies last week when he joined the Breitling Jet Team during a promotional event in Switzerland...


July 12, 2011

Leslie West Prepares Album, Tour
By mdome at Classic Rock

Leslie West intends to carry on with the release of his new album and a subsequent tour, despite having the bottom half of his right leg amputated...


50 Things I Don't Want to See, Hear, or Think About Next Season
By The Peerless at The Peerless Prognosticator

Because it's July, it's hot outside, and there is enough going on with development camp to keep bloggers busy, we thought we would offer up 50 things we do not want to see, hear, or think about when the next season of hockey rolls around...


Queen Plan Sheer Heart Attack Video
By gbarton at Classic Rock

Queen are giving independent film makers the chance to create a video for the classic 1977 song Sheer Heart Attack...


Acropolis chiefs set to repeat night stage
Posted at WRC.com

Acropolis Rally bosses are planning to repeat the Nea Politia night stage when the world championship returns to Greece next season...


July 11, 2011

Olie Kolzig: 'I’m glad that I’m back' with Washington Capitals
By Lindsay Applebaum at The Washington Post's Capitals Insider

Former longtime Capitals goalie Olie Kolzig sat high up in the stands at Kettler Capitals Iceplex on Monday, watching prospects and chatting with goaltender coach Dave Prior and other team officials as development camp got underway...

Washington Capitals prospect Cody Eakin: 'I am coming to camp
to make the team'
By Katie Carrera at The Washington Post's Capitals Insider

For this particular development camp, Cody Eakin will be one of the most watched and scrutinized prospects in attendance. The 20-year-old center is set to turn pro in the fall and the question that looms is where will he do so? Washington or Hershey?...


'Spider-Man' Writer Swings For Realistic Reboot
By Josh Wigler at MTV's Splash Page

In one year from now, your friendly neighborhood Spider-Man is swinging back into theaters — and when he does, he'll bring a whole lot of reality with him...


Dear TNT: Please save 'Men of a Certain Age'
By Alan Sepinwall at What's Alan Watching?

Last Wednesday night, I published my review of the season finale of "Men of a Certain Age", which was as much about the idea that it could be the last episode of the show ever as it was about the episode itself. Ultimately, I struck what I felt was a happy but resigned note. You gave us two seasons of this marvelous show, after all - a show whose charms are incredibly subtle (so subtle that I'm not always able to properly describe them, and I love the show) in an era where only the noisiest and/or most high-concept shows seem to be breaking through, a show built around three men who were aging out of the infamous 18-49 year-old demographic even as the series began...


Van Halen Mixing New Album
By mdome at Classic Rock

...Producer Ross Hogarth has revealed that the record’s in the mixing stages, and everything’s prepared for a release later in the year...


Gymkhana tour a hit for Block in Vienna
Posted at WRC.com

Ken Block has said he was thrilled after more than 25,000 fans attended the first stop of his Gymkhana World Tour in Vienna, Austria on Sunday...

Junior's Reading And Viewing List: July 1 - July 10, 2011

Last Update - August 2, 2011 at 7:30 AM EDT

Junior's July 1 through July 10, 2011 'Reading And Viewing List' has link titles, with bits of published articles, from the beginning of July 2011.

New films, Washington Capitals hockey, music, Formula One racing and WRC rally news show up in this list.


July 10, 2011

Former Motörhead Guitarist Michael "Würzel" Burston Dead at 61
Posted at Noise Creep

Sad news for headbangers: Former Motörhead guitarist Michael "Würzel" Burston, who joined the legendary metal band in 1984 and performed with them for 11 years, has passed away at the age of 61. Several sources report that Burston died from ventricular fibrillation, caused by cardiomyopathy...


July 9, 2011

"I think it’s odd how it’s mirrored my life so much" - Eve Myles
By Rachel Mainwaring - Posted by Brian at EveMyles.net

Eve Myles is Gwen Cooper. She’s a feisty Welsh policewoman and new mum who is hiding out in rural Wales with her husband Rhys (Kai Owen)...


A Capitol Fourth
By Brian Lumley at Rumblings From The Man Cave

I spent a wonderful three days in Washington D.C. this past week with my son and two of his best friends. I felt like a tour guide, mentor and history teacher as I dragged these kids all over Northern Virginia in search of new and interesting sites to see...


July 8, 2011

Washington Capitals trade Eric Fehr to Winnipeg Jets
By Katie Carrera at The Washington Post's Capitals Insider

In an effort to clear space under the salary cap, the Capitals traded right wing Eric Fehr to the Winnipeg Jets on Friday in exchange for a fourth-round draft pick in 2012 and prospect Danick Paquette...


Friday practice - selected team and driver quotes
Posted at Formula1.com

The weather dominated proceedings on the opening day of practice for this weekend's British round. In the morning Red Bull's Mark Webber ended the session in front, whilst Ferrari's Felipe Massa was top dog in the afternoon. The drivers and senior team personnel report on the early running at Silverstone...


The opening of Hell Bent for Leather at Walsall Leather Museum
Posted at Home Of Metal

Image: Katja Ogrin

Last night saw the opening of Home of Metal's 'Hell Bent for Leather' Exhibition a the fantastic Leather Museum in Walsall. The Exhibition celebrates Judas Priest and the Heavy Metal Look, as created for Judas Priest by Ray Brown Fashion...


Tough route for Monte Carlo season-opener
Posted at WRC.com

Rallye Monte Carlo organisers have revealed preliminary details of the route of next year's World Rally Championship opener - and crews should be braced for an early shock to the system...


July 7, 2011

More Captain America Photos Revealed
Posted at Super Hero Hype

Paramount Pictures has revealed more photos from Marvel Studios' Captain America: The First Avenger and you can check them out below. Opening in 3D and 2D theaters on July 22, the Joe Johnston-directed film stars Chris Evans, Tommy Lee Jones, Hugo Weaving, Hayley Atwell, Sebastian Stan, Dominic Cooper, Toby Jones, Neal McDonough, Derek Luke and Stanley Tucci...


Review: Starz's 'Torchwood: Miracle Day'
By Alan Sepinwall at What's Alan Watching

There are two different shows co-existing under the title "Torchwood: Miracle Day" (Friday at 10 p.m. on Starz). The first is a classic kind of science fiction story, built around a simple what if? question: what would happen if every person in the world suddenly became incapable of dying? The second is a familiar action thriller in which a rogue team of government agents try to find out who made everyone immortal, and why...


New 'Captain America' Featurettes Discuss Character,
Period Setting
By Danica Davidson at MTV's Splash Page

..."We soon found it was essential to the story", he says. "Once you took Cap out of that time period, it was more difficult to understand. We made the decision to tell the story the way it was originally told in 1941 by Jack Kirby and Joe Simon."...


FIA Thursday press conference - Great Britain
Posted at Formula1.com

Drivers - Rubens Barrichello (Williams), Jenson Button (McLaren), Paul Di Resta (Force India), Lewis Hamilton (McLaren), Daniel Ricciardo (HRT)...


WRC fans prefer all-black Fiesta...
Posted at WRC.com

...In an online poll on Wrc.com, users were asked if they preferred the all-black paintjob used for the test to the more traditional blue and white rally version. A staggering 91 per cent said that they did...


Loeb savours motorbike switch
Posted at WRC.com

World rally champion Sebastien Loeb has made the switch from four wheels to two after sampling a KTM RC8 R in his native France last month...


Great Britain preview - predictions blowing in the wind
Posted at Formula1.com

Red Bull have dominated the last two British Grands Prix, with Sebastian Vettel running away in 2009 and Mark Webber doing likewise last year. Adrian Newey's car seems to have an unbeatable aerodynamic advantage at the Northhamptonshire track. But the highly knowledgeable crowd will be willing on McLaren, as Jenson Button and Lewis Hamilton hunt for victory on home soil...


July 6, 2011

Firewall & Iceberg Podcast, episode 82: 'Torchwood: Miracle Day',
'Curb Your Enthusiasm' & more
By Alan Sepinwall and Daniel Fienberg via What's Alan Watching

Dan was traveling back from Canada in the early part of the week, so the Firewall & Iceberg Podcast makes a temporary Wednesday return, and a fairly busy one, as we discuss "Torchwood: Miracle Day", "Curb Your Enthusiasm", the "Treme" finale, a new "Twin Peaks" and answer several letters...

...As always, you can subscribe to The Firewall & Iceberg Podcast over at the iTunes Store, where you can also rate us and comment on us. Or you can always follow our RSS Feed, download the MP3 file or stream it on Dan's blog...


Washington Capitals sign Troy Brouwer
By Katie Carrera at The Washington Post's Capitals Insider

The Capitals have signed winger Troy Brouwer to a two-year contract worth $2.35 million per season. The details of Brouwer’s salary were first reported by TSN’s Gord Miller...


Hold on to your hats, it's high-speed Silverstone
Posted at Formula1.com

Silverstone's layout has changed many times, but in its 61 years on the calendar, one thing has remained constant: speed. By the mid '80s, it was Formula One's fastest track; indeed, Keke Rosberg's '85 pole lap boasted the highest average lap speed in F1 - 259 km/h - until 2002. And though the old circuit was lengthened for 2010, it retained its essential character, and even gained another flat-out sweeper...


July 5, 2011

Man Of Steel Set Photos
By Silas Lesnick at Super Hero Hype

Set construction is now underway for Zack Snyder's soon-to-shoot Superman reboot, Man of Steel. Today, Superman Homepage offers a first look at what is said to be some of the newly-built sets at the film's Plano, Illinois location...


How Roman Hamrlik Fits in on the Caps Blue Line
Posted by David Getz at Japers' Rink

Of the roster moves the Capitals have made over the last couple of weeks, the signing of veteran defenseman Roman Hamrlik may be the least sexy. It didn't involve any off-ice drama, any high draft picks. or the return of a former captain, and it didn't even address the team's most obvious need. Despite that, Hamrlik, who's a versatile player with more than 1,400 combined NHL regular season and playoff games, should have an immediate and significant impact on the Capitals blue line...


Neil Peart, Jason Bonham In Rhythm Magazine
By mdome at Classic Rock

The new issue of Rhythm magazine is on sale now – and it includes a major interview with Rush’s Neil Peart...


Herman Rarebell Writes His Autobiography
By mdome at Classic Rock

Former Scorpions drummer Herman Rarebell is to publish his autobiography in the autumn...


July 4, 2011

Williams to revive Renault engine partnership
Posted at Formula1.com

Williams are to switch from Cosworth to Renault power for the 2012 and 2013 seasons, it was announced on Monday, reviving one of Formula One's most famous partnerships. Between 1989 and 1997, Williams and Renault won four drivers' and five constructors' titles together...


Mission accomplished for Ford in France
Posted at WRC.com

...Mikko Hirvonen and Jari-Matti Latvala spent two days each testing Ford’s all-black Fiesta RS WRC to prepare for the sealed-surface rounds in Germany, France and Spain later this season...


Alice Cooper Joins Foo Fighters Onstage
By mdome at Classic Rock

He performed School’s Out and I’m 18 with the band. Check out the footage here...


July 2, 2011

I Can Live With This Line-Up For Next Season
How About Youse Guys?
By Usually Frustrated Caps Fan at Mark's Musings

Here's the way I now see the Caps Line-up for the start of the 2011-2012 season and I'm liking it a lot...


Washington Capitals sign goalie Tomas Vokoun
By Lindsay Applebaum at The Washington Post's Capitals Insider

The Washington Capitals have signed Tomas Vokoun to a one-year deal worth $1.5 million, his agent confirmed to The Post’s Katie Carrera on Saturday. The signing was first reported by TSN...


Former Capital Matt Bradley signs with Florida Panthers
By Katie Carrera at The Washington Post's Capitals Insider

Veteran right wing Matt Bradley has become the latest former Capital to join part in the rebuilding of the Florida Panthers...


July 1, 2011

Free Agent Signing Period Day One -- For the Caps,
a Case of "Then and Now"
By The Peerless at The Peerless Prognosticator

...the Caps closed Day One of the unrestricted free agency signing period with a whirlwind of activity. Level 5 hurricane is more like it. The Caps made four separate deals this afternoon – three free agency signings and an unexpected trade:...


Halpern Comes Home
By Mike Vogel at Dump 'N Chase

On the first day of the NHL’s unrestricted free agency period, the Capitals and Jeff Halpern are out to prove Thomas Wolfe wrong. The Caps and Halpern agreed to terms on a one-year deal for the veteran center – a native of Potomac, MD – to return to Washington and the team that gave him his start in the league in 1999-00...


Solbergs to star in Cars 2 movie
Posted at WRC.com

World Rally Championship aces Henning and Petter Solberg will lend their voices to the new Cars 2 movie when it's released in their native Norway next month...


FIA Q&A: 2014 engines are a step forward
Posted at Formula1.com

From 2014 new Formula One engine regulations will be introduced, replacing the current 2.4 litre V8s with more efficient 1.6 litre, turbocharged V6s. The FIA discuss the pros and cons of the change and explain why their original plans for four-cylinder engines in 2013 were discarded after consultation with the teams...


2010-2011 By the Tens -- Goaltenders: Michal Neuvirth
By The Peerless at The Peerless Prognosticator

Michal Neuvirth came into the 2010-2011 season in a battle with Semyon Varlamov to see which of the two graduates of the draft class of 2006 would emerge as the Caps’ number one goaltender (that is, when they weren’t wondering if the Caps would get a veteran that would bump one of them off the roster)...


A Marriage Proposal
By Brian Lumley at Rumblings From The Man Cave

I was in Charleston, South Carolina last October and I saw a white girl and a black man holding hands, walking near the waterfront, oblivious to anyone around them. They were smiling, laughing and enjoying a cool Autumn evening...